04 April 2012

The Barça B midfielder, injured at the start of the season, renewed his contract through 2013.

Illie Sánchez renewed his contract with FC Barcelona for one more season, June 2013, this Tuesday afternoon. His buyout clause is set at 3 million euros.

The Barça B player, 21-years-old, showed off his talent last season in the Club reserve side. Luis Enrique used Sánchez as a defensive midfielder, creative midfielder and as a right back . Eusebio, who now manages the side, has not been able to use Sánchez’s versatility this season due to the injury the player picked up this summer.

The player expressed his joy to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.com after renewing his contract: “it’s the happiest day I’ve had in these 10 months I’ve been injured. I’m overjoyed, it’s a good day.” He added: “when you’re injured, the only thing you think about is when you’re going to be able to play again. Now that I’ve extended my contract, I’ll try to work harder and enjoy the next season.”

The new contract allows Sánchez to look to the future with hope: “I hope I can get out of this pit and start the new season by doing what I haven’t been able to do this year.” Next season will be the player’s fourth year in the Barça reserve system. “This Club is my life and I’m very happy to be able to spend one more year here, to keep on working and help the team stay in Segunda another season,” he said. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

"The veteran defender grabbed without Busquets in the area," says the BBC. "Busquets was held by Nesta" notes the Guardian.
In France, 'L'Equipe' recalls the two penalties in favor of the Barça did not listed in the first leg.

The controversy fueled by the media related to Milan ... and Madrid on penalties pitados Barça against all 'Rossoneri' has entered the discussion in the media in countries like England or France. While all contained the words of Ibrahimovic, all British media agreed that the penalty of Nesta to Busquets was as clear as unnecessary and even give Swedish vehement response to the statements of Pep Guardiola told a news conference.

In the 'BBC' are the "cheap penalty" committed by Nesta. "The defender, vast experience, Busquets unnecessarily grabbed inside the box" point in his match report. "Sergio Busquets was held by Alessandro Nesta in a corner and whistled Bjorn Kuipers' explain 'The Guardian'. "Alessandro Nesta stretched the shirt Busquets and Kuipers said the spot" argues 'The Telegraph'.

'L'Equipe' recognizes that there grab but questions whether "in a moment" should have brought. In any case remember that in the first leg Barça he "was deprived of two penalties." (via MD)

The player's agent said that the interest of Barça for forward "means that you are doing well."

In Italy linked the name of Parma forward Giovinco for Barcelona. Claudio Pasqualin player's agent has said in remarks that reflected several Italian media that "it seems strange to me the interest of Barcelona" by his client.

Giovinco, who has an offer of renewal for his team, has not signed the agreement. "The situation has not changed much. Giovinco is concentrated with Parma and think about the championship right away, then that has to be what we will decide together with other components. Speeches are premature, there is a championship to finish" Pasqualin explained.

"The interest of Barcelona is strange? I do not seem strange, to say that he is doing well. Ask confirmation Leonardi, the club should be informed about this. What I can say is that I still too early to talk anything. If you left? not exclude it because the football mercato not know some things. the only certainty is that Giovinco is concentrated with Parma because he wants to do well, is a serious professional "has ruled. (via MD)

The "rage" of Milan "furious" because the second and "doubtful" penalty awarded to Barcelona resounds on the covers of the Italian press.

"Barça with a little help," the newspaper headlines on the cover of the country's best-selling sports, "La Gazzetta dello Sport", which states that, although Barça deserved the semifinal, "the second penalty given by referee changed the game." And one of the writers of the Milan daily on the cover says: "I would like to see how the match would have gone if he had gone to the second half with the 1-1 on the scoreboard."

"Euro Rabia" continues the newspaper in your internal pages to talk about the second penalty whistled to Alessandro Nesta for overthrow Busquets, "but because it Puyol blocks the Italian, who fell upon the enemy." That's no secret that the very "Gazzetta" recognize that the 17 shots on goal against of Barça two milanistas "prevent the episode invoke arbitration."

In fact, a survey of the medium itself makes clear the views of readers. To the question "If the referee had not awarded the second penalty, Milan had had hopes of qualifying?", 67% of readers said "no".

Diaries also collected the anger of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his words that assured understanding Mourinho at their grievances for arbitration.

"Milan furious" for his part called the newspaper "Corriere dello Sport" due to "a penalty that did not exist" even though the Milan "was mastered." The Roman daily highlights the words of coach milanista, Massimiliano Allegri, who said that the second penalty "gift" given the push I needed Barça.

"Milan eliminated and angry," headlined the daily "Corriere della Sera", although recognizing that the second penalty was "fatal", Barcelona proved its superiority. Also the "Corriere della Sera" gives space to the more angry of all, Ibra, and his phrase about "Mourinho's anger when playing at the Camp Nou."

Also Barbara Berlusconi, daughter of the owner and president of the club, reported that the arbitrator "conditioned the meeting" to give a penalty nonexistent. (via SPORT)

Despite claiming that the second penalty was, in his opinion, poorly stated, Dutchman Clarence Seedorf made ​​it clear that if Barça has gone to the semifinals was for overall merit.

"The timing of the second penalty was key, but not why we lost," said Seedorf at the microphones of TVE once the game. "On the field did not see what happened, but after talking to the referee, I think you made a mistake because if you were holding before, I should have stopped the game," said the milanista when referring to the play of the penalty from Nesta to Busquets.

"That time was hard for us, but do not want controversy and if Barcelona happened is because he has something more. It has been two intense games between two teams very important. We did what we could," deepened the Milan player, who thanked the ovation that he dedicated the Camp Nou when he retired from the field.

Finally, Seedorf predicted a Champions League final between Barcelona and Madrid. "I think they are the two favorites and the two strongest teams. Be an interesting fight if they reach the final because earlier are at Bayern and possibly Chelsea will fight them too."

The Club informed Marc Muniesa that contract extension clause that the player signed last season will take effect at the end of this season, the player will be part of the first team through June, 2013.

This Wednesday, Marc Muniesa signed his automatic contract extension which was included in the contract that he signed last season - February 15th, 2011. The Barça B player will move up to the first team next season.

The 20-year-old Catalan defender is known for his ability to play in different parts of the pitch. This season with Barça B, he played as a centre back, left back and sweeper. Muniesa has been a permanent fixture in the first-team training sessions ever since news of Éric Abidal’s scheduled surgery was announced. The La Masia graduate to-be played a couple of minutes in the Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Isaac Cuenca, very happy with his starting place in the Champions League line-up on Tuesday against Milan, says he is fully focused on "doing things the best way possible to help the team".

In a short time he’s gone from being on loan to Sabadell, playing in the Second Division B, to becoming a Barça first-team player, having first played in the reserve team. Perhaps Isaac Cuenca could hardly imagine on the day of his official debut with the first team, on October 2oth, 2011, against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, that Josep Guardiola would include him in the starting line-up in the return leg of the quarter-final against Milan. "I have no time even to think about it. I'm enjoying the moment and each day I try to improve so I can help the team, and, in turn, become a better player" he said about the current dream he’s living.

According to the Barcelona winger, the fact that Josep Guardiola chose him to be in the starting line-up against Milan was a complete surprise: "I just felt really happy, the truth is that I didn’t expect it at all. When I was told that I would be playing I was thrilled. I’m very happy". In the same vein, Cuenca explained that once a player knows he’s in the starting eleven, "it doesn’t matter who you’re up against.......you just think about doing things the best way possible to help the team".

The rapid evolution of his career has done nothing to change his day to day routine: "I play in bigger stadiums with more spectators, and now people recognise me more in the street, but my life hasn’t changed".

Totally oblivious to the comments made about referees, and happy for Barça having achieved the fifth consecutive appearance in a Champions League semi-final, Cuenca said they think more about " what we have done more than what is being talked about from outside.....we’re dedicated to playing the best possible way and not thinking about other things. We’re delighted to continue making history". (via FCBarcleona.cat)

The headlines in qualifying for the Champions League semis have recovery and the rest have worked together with the subsidiary, in a very last morning water.

A few hours later from qualifying for the semifinals of the Champions League for the fifth consecutive season, Barça has resumed activity Wednesday morning with a workout at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper.

The owners have done against Milan and only retrieval Valdés, Alves, Cuenca and Mascherano have been part of this work on the lawn. The remaining available, and Afellay and Abidal have conducted a joint session with the reserves.

It has been training behind closed doors with heavy rain in Sant Joan Despi. The team was able to start preparing for the league match on Saturday in the area of ​​Zaragoza (20 hours). Barça will rest on Thursday and again on Friday to work out after 11 hours. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

He wanted to congratulate the association ("had a lot of courage"), said that "this Barça is much Barça" and "suffered to 3-1".

The box at the Camp Nou yesterday was a hive of authorities, beginning with Artur Mas, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

But after the meeting said that "Barça is one of the two favorites to win the final, this tie was key and was passed. We have taken a giant step. "The President, who wanted to congratulate the association ("had a lot of courage"), said that "this Barça is much Barça" and "suffered to 3-1".

On the part FC Barcelona, ​​and the president, Sandro Rosell, was in the box, including managers, Josep Maria Bartomeu, who said that there were nine players from the youth home states "that in this club is future" . The vice president wanted to congratulate sports fans: "They've had fun and we thank them for coming. They'll be asked to come and support the team. ""The goal was to reach the semis and has succeeded, is a great success of the club," he said. Asked if the food policy is talked about a hypothetical interest in Barça's Thiago Silva, Bartomeu said, smiling, "We've talked about everything but football."

Asked by Chelsea, presumed rival in semis, said he "will be a very difficult opponent and will certainly be a great game." (via MD)

Guardiola has managed FC Barcelona in 50 Champions League matches, while the Brazilian played his 200th official match for the Club.

Pep Guardiola has led FC Barcelona in 50 Champions League matches. In his four seasons on the Barça bench, he’s managed to take the team to four consecutive semifinals in the continental tournament. He managed the team in 15 Champions League matches in the 2008/09 season, 12 in the 2009/10 season, 13 in the 2010/11 season and 10 in the current season.

Guardiola has led his team to 31 wins, 14 draws and 5 defeats. The team have scored 119 goals (2.4 per match) and conceded 40 (0.8 per match) with him on the bench. He’s also led his team to two Champions League titles (2009 and 2011).

Dani Alves played in his 200th official match for Barça this evening. He’s defended the Barça shirt 125 times in the Liga, 43 in the Champions League, 21 in the Cup, 6 in the Spanish Super Cup, 2 in the European Super Cup and 3 in the Club World Cup. Despite almost always playing on defence, the Brazilian has scored 15 goals in his 3 and a half seasons at Barça. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Leo Messi scored his 51st goal in the Champions League this Tuesday, so far he’s scored 14 in this year’s tournament.

The Argentine is one goal away from becoming the player with the most goals scored in one season in the Champions League.

Leo Messi can now say he’s scored 51 goals in the Champions League, making him the third highest all-time goalscorer of the competition. The Argentine has scored more goals than Thierry Henry, and is only behind Raúl (71) and Van Nistelrooy (56). FC Barcelona’s playmaker has celebrated 51 goals since his debut in the Champions League in the 2004/05 season, 42 of them came under the tutelage of Josep Guardiola. Messi has also been the highest goalscorer in the last three editions of the tournament, with 9, 8 and 12 goals, respectively. He could very well repeat the feat this year. So far this season, he’s beat his own personal best in the tournament and drawn level with the 14-goal record set by Altafini, ex-Milan player in the 1962/63 season.

Messi has scored in 32 matches in the Champions League, of those, Barça have won 28 and drawn 4. The Argentine has scored 27 of his 51 goals at the Camp Nou, 23 away from home, and 2 in Champions League finals, one in Rome and another at Wembley. (via FCBarcelona.com)

The defender sustained an injury on the bicep femoris of his left thigh. His recovery will mark his availability in Barça’s upcoming match.

Gerard Piqué needed to come off the pitch due to injury on the 75th minute of tonight’s match against AC Milan. The defender was substituted for Adriano. After the match, the team’s Medical Services confirmed that the player sustained an injury on the bicep femoris of his left thigh. His recovery will mark his availability in Barça’s upcoming match. The Catalans will face Zaragoza on Saturday at 20:00. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Barça played the semifinals against Benfica and Chelsea (0-1 on the way).
The first leg will be played on Wednesday April 18 and return leg at the Camp Nou on 24.

The British tycoon Abramovich or the Portuguese of Benfica Lisbon will be the last step to be overcome Barça before the final in Munich. Londoners leave with the advantage of a field goal and, although Benfica will not easily give up and warns that sell expensive skin.

The stakes are a clear advantage to Chelsea, who longs to get into their second final (lost to Manchester United in 2008) and what would be the conquest of his first European scepter. Benfica, even with a lower potential football on paper, has more experience in the finals of the European Cup, as it has played so far 7 finals with the balance of 2 wins and 5 losses. The victories, by the way, with Barça and Real Madrid (1961 and 1962).

The first leg of the semifinal will be played on Wednesday April 18 and return leg in the Nou Camp on Tuesday, 24. (via MD)

The Barça manager considers that reaching the Champions League semifinals five times on the trot shows “the hard work put in by the team”.

“We played against a team that have a lot of importance and history. We’ve earned everything that we’ve achieved”.

Josep Guardiola vigorously defended FC Barcelona’s passage to the semifinals of the Champions League. The Barça manager said that in the quarterfinal tie against Milan that “we fully deserved to go through.” He also disagreed with those that said that Barça should not be in the next round because the team scored two of their three goals from penalties. “They were penalties. We didn’t complain in the away leg (where Alexis was hauled down in the box), and we won’t complain now,” said Guardiola. He added that “grabbing players in the area should be penalized and they are penalties. On television, it’s a penalty.”

Besides the two penalties awarded to Barça, Guardiola said that “they only shot on goal three times, we shot 21 times. We had a lot of goalscoring chances and we did it with a three and four-man defence. We played against a team that have a lot of importance and history. We’ve earned everything we’ve achieved, just like we earned it there [Milan].”

This will be FC Barcelona’s fifth consecutive semifinal in the Champions League, the fourth with Guardiola on the bench. The manager believes that this feat shows “the power of the Club. It’s an achievement to maintain this level.” Also, that behind Barça’s consistency is “a lot of hard work,” no one has gifted the team anything.

The manager was also proud that nine La Masia players featured in Barça’s starting line-up. He said that they are “essence [of the Club] and heart [of the team].”

Guardiola explained why he didn’t play Alexis and instead opted for Cuenca and Alves. “We needed a player that would run down the wing and I decided to play Alves seeing that, along with Adriano, they are the only ones that allow me to go from a four-man defence to a three-man defence.” On Isaac Cuenca, he said that he “needed a very specific type of player” in tonight’s match.

He also talked about Andrés Iniesta, “he’s a player that has more goals than his stats reflect. He does a lot of things really well and he’s a player that respects the decisions of his manager. He’s fantastic.”

Barça will play in the Champions League semifinal against the winner of the Benfica - Chelsea playoff. Even though the English side have the advantage in the tie, seeing that they will play in Stamford Bridge with a 0-1 result from the away leg, Guardiola isn’t convinced that Chelsea will be his team’s next rival. “We have to be prudent because after watching the first game, Benfica created a lot of chances. Chelsea have a very good result but in the Champions League everything is difficult.” He did, however, analyse both teams. On the English side he said that “the important players will respond in the final phase [of the competition]. However, Benfica have done a great job these past couple of seasons. They are both tough rivals and we’ll have to prepare well for the semifinals in order to get to Munich.”(via FCBarcelona.com)

Dani Alves praised the work of arbitration, notably by two penalties mentioned.

Dani Alves explained that in his opinion both penalties were well marked by the Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers. "The penalty and grab it if it is within the area must pitarlo, so I think the referee has had personality."

"I'll take the great team work and good dusposicion of my teammates," said the Brazilian. As for the controversy that resulted in the two penalties and statements Ibrahimovic said that "everyone grabs what you want. It has only been a team that has put the play and scoring chances," he added.

Asked about the grip of Nesta, Sergi Busquets, told TV3 microphones that this is "a very clear penalty. Not grab me for a second or two but the whole play is whistled well," said Badia. (via SPORT)

Javier Mascherano spoke to Barça TV microphones after the meeting and wanted to respond to the words of Ibrahimovic to a Swedish channel.

"Now I understand why Mourinho complains when it comes to Camp Nou," said Swede Ibrahimovic to a channel just after the game. Not far from there and a few minutes apart, Mascherano He talked to Barça TV and TV3 and was told the words of Swedish. "Everyone has their opinion, but two penalties were very clear," said the Argentine. "We do not always help because Milan did not help us much," he added, referring to more of an arbitration award in San Siro.

Mascherano gave their views on the match: "Overall we did a good job defensively despite scoring a goal. Oportuindades They did not have to mark and this is due not only to the defense if not the defensive task of the whole team," said .

"Knowing that they have very strong players in attack had to have control of the game, create chances and score more than one goal," he said. Mascherano said change from three to four defenses necessary. "We started with a 3-4-3 because we needed people out since the Milan defended very good inside. But after the 2-1 defense was better prioritize and so we went back to back four," he said.

The Argentine has no preference for the semi-final opponent and wanted to achieve "the bell a third final in four years." (via SPORT)

The coach of Milan felt that the second penalty against said was crucial to his team could not eliminate a Barça he called "the favorite to win the Champions".

"In the first penalty we were wrong, but in the second referee has enough on his part," said Allegri, who recalled that it said on Thursday that "playing against Barcelona is not easy."

The coach milanista admitted that, after the azulgranas have taken the lead for the second time, his team is resigned to his fate: "That the game is much more complicated and we have already played nervous and uncomfortable."

In any case, Allegri has stressed that the team "has taken a step forward" in this year's top competition and has achieved "the minimum target it had set the club", which was to reach the quarterfinals. "Next year will certainly be more competitive," she added.

The milanista Zlatan Ibrahimovic was dispatched at ease in a Swedish television after the match.

"Now I understand why Mourinho is set so when it comes to Camp Nou," said azulgrana exdelantero to Swedish television after the match in reference to the two penalties mentioned in favor Barça in Tuesday's match at the Camp Nou.

"I do not understand why the club has to cheat. I can not believe he gave Barça a penalty when the ball was not at stake. Seem to want to have two teams in the same country," he added as he explained 'Catalunya Radio '.

By eliminating them, Ibrahimovic continues his slump in the Champions League, a competition which has not won despite having played in five league championship teams. (via SPORT)

Undoubtedly the classification and the way they are obtained. Barça was superior to that already exceeded Milan at San Siro without success in front of goal. Messi and Iniesta certified ratings for a semifinal that becomes the fifth row in the continental football showpiece.

THE WORST

Piqué's injury. The only sour note of the meeting was the injury of Gerard Piqué, who requested the change in the second half. Although it does not seem very serious, determined to be seen what the tests. Moreover, we again emphasize that this Barça still lacks some aim to 'kill' before matches. (via SPORT)

The vice president azulgrana was radiant team ranking for the semifinals of the Champions League and warned that both Chelsea and Benfica guarantee "a great semifinal."

congratulated the team and the Club on the hard work that’s been done over the year that has allowed FC Barcelona to reach their fifth consecutive semifinal in the Champions League. “Things have been done correctly for some time not. It’s a jewel that the world can see this team maintain this level.” The vice president recognised that he wasn’t nervous during the match, seeing that “we have a lot of confidence in this team” he also praised the fact that nine La Masia graduates were in the starting line-up. “It’s a reflection of work well done that’s been going on for years.” Finally, Bartomeu wanted to thank the fans for their support and he urged them to keep on coming to the stadium to carry the team in the final stretch of the season. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Barça have beaten AC Milan in style to extend their legend by becoming the first team to qualify for five consecutive semi finals in the Champions League era.

Messi, with two penalties, and Iniesta got the Barça goals.

The Champions League quarter final second leg 2011/12 will go down in history as one of Barcelona’s most magical nights in Europe. It was a tactically rich and intensely gripping encounter, in which Barça’s stylish football, ambitious game-plan and domination of possession overcome a gallant Milan side to qualify for the semi finals. For the fifth time in a row! The Catalans scored three times in doing so, but with a bit more fortune in front of goal, the margin could easily have been even wider.

Everything was still up in the air after the goalless draw at the Giuseppe Meazza. As expected, Milan continued with the conservative tactics that had earned them that draw in the first leg, while Barça, also as expected, went straight out and attacked. As always. Guardiola even risked a three-man defence, something very few managers would ever choose to do at such a crucial stage of this competition, fielding Alves and (surprisingly) Cuenca as his full backs.

With the Camp Nou more vociferous than ever, the home side got off to a blistering start. Only six minutes had passed and Messi had already had two wonderful chances, and was brought down in the area when he was about to attempt the third. The referee pointed to the sport, the Argentinian made no mistake, and Barça were in the lead after just ten minutes.

Barça were able to relax after getting the all-important goal. They kept things tight, always playing as a unit, and with Busquets in particular shining in midfield. Milan, meanwhile, almost looked divided in two: the strikers (Robinho, Boateng and Ibrahimovic), and the defenders (the rest). In the 32nd minute, Ibra found space and laid the ball on for Nocerino, who beat Valdés with an angled strike. It had been their first serious threat of the whole game, and the goal and such effectiveness stunned the Camp Nou. But the crowd wasn’t going to have to suffer for long…

Milan immediately responded by tightening their defence, while Barça continued playing football the only way they know and were soon back in the lead following a penalty awarded for a tug on Busquets’ shirt in the area, a decision the Milan players disputed intensely. Messi once again beat Abbiati from the spot, the third time he has done so in this edition of the Champions League. Immediately afterwards, it was Guardiola’s turn to modify his tactics in what sometimes resembled a game of human chess, as he reverted to a more traditional 4-3-3 system.

The defending champions were just as dominant after the break, although Milan always looked dangerous on the counter attack. But it was actually a Barça counter that led to the home side’s third goal of the evening. Messi led the move, and managed to get the ball to Iniesta, who finished things off in exquisite fashion.

The crowd could breathe at last. With a two goal cushion, the songs were more positive than ever, and one of the most impressive moments came when the home fans offered a generous ovation to veteran Clarence Seedorf when he was substituted in the 60th minute. Barça had started enjoying themselves, and looked reasonably home and dry, but the Milanese outfit never let their heads drop, and proudly battled on to keep Barça on their toes right until the end, even though things got increasingly more desperate for the visitors as every minute went by.

In the 68th minute, Thiago, who had come on for Xavi, came frustratingly close to making it four, and shortly after came the most negative moment of the night when an injured Piqué called to be substituted. Keen to avoid any other nasty surprises, Barça expertly managed the clock while also managing to create a series of late half chances. But little did it matter. More than deserved qualification for the semi finals was by now a certainty. One night more of Barça magic at the Camp Nou has taken the team into the semi finals for the fifth time in a row, and now all they have to do is wait until tomorrow to find out whether they will be playing Benfica or Chelsea. (via FCBarcelona.com)